Frisius MC / Medical Centre Leeuwarden

Frisius MC (the new name for Medical Centre Leeuwarden) is a top clinical hospital in Leeuwarden and Harlingen, providing acute, highly complex and basic care in Friesland. Its focus is on research, education and innovation, guided by the socially motivated motto: ‘seen, heard and helped’. EGM architects are designing the new Frisius MC in Leeuwarden; a sustainable, innovative and compact hospital, prepared for rapidly changing healthcare demands and meeting the highest standards of sustainability. This redevelopment is part of the ambition to operate fully climate-neutral by 2050, as set out in Green Deals 2.0 and 3.0.

More compact hospital

Healthcare is evolving towards a model where patients increasingly recover in a homely environment or in specialised rehabilitation centres. This means that hospitals such as Frisius MC can be more compact, with a focus on highly complex care. The collaboration with Noorderbreedte on campus illustrates this shift: wherever possible, patients recover outside the hospital, in a seamless transition to rehabilitation or home care. This not only leads to more efficient care, but also to a more positive patient experience and faster recovery. The compact design provides the flexibility needed to adapt to future changes in care demands.

We believe we have a significant social responsibility in the way we deliver our care. Above all, we want to do this sustainably and energy efficiently. That is why we are going to build sustainably

Willem Lenglet, Board Member

Sustainable construction – CO₂ neutral

The redevelopment of Frisius MC is being realised with an emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. Fossil fuels are making way for sustainable sources of energy such as geothermal energy, and the new buildings will meet strict sustainability standards. Where possible, existing building sections will be renovated; the oldest and least sustainable buildings will be replaced. Ultimately, Frisius MC aims to be fully climate neutral by 2050.

EGM’s design is focused on creating a health-supporting environment. Principles from biophilic design have been applied, promoting the wellbeing of both patients and staff. By making use of natural daylight, supporting the body’s natural rhythm, providing views of greenery and deploying natural materials such as wood, a healing atmosphere is created that contributes to a healing environment.

This is immediately visible in the first phase of the new development: an operating theatre complex with daylight in the operating rooms, a day treatment centre that, thanks to its position and open character, encourages people to take the stairs, and an intensive care department with a rooftop garden, allowing patients in bed to be safely and securely taken outside under supervision. The construction and fit-out methods chosen make the design highly flexible and able to accommodate future changes in function with ease. This flexibility ensures the building will remain highly usable, even as healthcare demands change.

It is an extensive new-build plan. By 2035, there should be an almost entirely new MCL

Willem Lenglet, Board Member

Masterplan and scheduling

EGM and Frisius MC have together developed the 2030 masterplan. The redevelopment will be carried out in phases to ensure continuity of care. In phase 1, which starts in 2025, the focus is on the construction of the acute axis, including a state-of-the-art intensive care unit (ICU), an innovative day treatment centre and an operating theatre complex with hybrid theatres. In subsequent phases, the radiology department and an emergency department with GP emergency post will be realised.

New construction is therefore necessary, not only to provide high-quality and innovative patient care now, but also in the future

Joost Willems, Programme Manager

The design by EGM architects is currently being implemented, thanks to the team effort together with Frisius MC, ptg advies, building services consultant Royal HaskoningDHV, structural engineer Aronsohn, urban planner Urbis, landscape designers Buro Lubbers, and main contractor Trebbe.

Team:

EGM architects: Gary Cornel, Gustaaf Kühne, Habil Akdogan, Heidi Sairanen, Heleen Meinsma, Jan Quist, King Chaichana, Leo Visser, Marco Verroen, Marijke Veryser, Willemineke Hammer

Partners: ptg advies, Royal HaskoningDHV, Aronsohn, Urbis, Buro Lubbers, Trebbe